LETTERS FROM Paul in Rome are the focus of this week’s New Testament study, and there is a lot of meat here. Paul addressed errant teachings that threatened to undermine the gospel of salvation by grace through faith at Colossae and Ephesus.

It appears some teachers had arrived preaching that Gentiles needed to follow the Law of Moses to be saved. Paul was very direct about that:

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.Colossians 2:16-17 (ESV)

Paul also addressed ongoing hostility between Jews and Gentiles, pointing out that the “wall of hostility” between the groups had been destroyed at the Cross, the worship of angels, and the proper roles of husbands, wives, and bondservants as followers of Jesus Christ.

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Sharon & Derek, Thank you, so very much, for the time you spend with all of us, studying His word and loving Him more. I am older than either of you, but I always benefit from your knowledge and your walk with the Lord. I look forward to your bible study each week since I take care of mother who is blind, almost deaf, and is unable to even stand to support her own weight. Even though I was blessed to learn from some “salt-of-the-earth” leaders, my circumstances have prevented me from having a church family for the past 20 yrs. So, much appreciation to both of you. I’m sure there are many more like me also. You and your family will be in my prayers as you are in Indiana celebrating the life of, Brenda, your beloved sister. Blessings from your sister in Christ, Jenean